Blast at Wyoming propane dealer forces evacuations

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — An explosion at a propane dealer in the Wyoming tourist town of Jackson forced the evacuation of several nearby businesses and a small school on Thursday, but there were no immediate reports of anyone being hurt.

Jackson police say multiple explosions occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at the AmeriGas facility about 2 miles from downtown Jackson in northwest Wyoming.

A small independent high school, a grocery store and other small businesses nearby were evacuated.

Witnesses told the Jackson Hole News & Guide (http://bit.ly/1F8pkr5 ) that a large propane delivery truck was involved with the explosion.

Scott Edwards said he was working at a nearby gym's front desk when the driver of the propane truck ran inside and yelled for everyone to get out.

Edwards said he saw a cloud of propane outside that was heavy enough to obscure the parking lot.

Oxygen was sucked from the building, followed by a dead calm and then "Ka-bam!" he said.

With the front door no longer an option, Edwards said he used a chair to break a large picture window away from the flames and he and others safely escaped.

"I started picking people up and chucking them out the window," Edwards said.

Fire severely damaged at least one building but the full extent of the damage wasn't immediately known.